2 THE ENCOUNTER
Hanji went out for a grocery with his minimal budget. Hanji's a bit happy today because he got a freelance work as an encoder and a proofreader so he's not as jobless as before.
As he walked happily, he happened to bumped into someone
"Oh, I'm sor—" he looked at the person's face and he saw...
"Han-nie, where have you been? I've searched everywhere for you" as the man headlocked me to his arms and brushed my hair with a closed fist.
"Seungmin, ouch. Let go of me" as I begged for mercy, for him to let me go. "I'm sorry, okay? That's selfish of me" Hanji trying to speak even he's nearly choked to death.
As soon as Seungmin, his best friend hear that he let him go. While Hanji is holding on to his neck as he felt he is in the verge of the death.
"Han Jisung, you have a lot of explaining to do" Seungmin said with a furious face.
"I'll explain while we head to the grocery" Hanji said calmly.
The two best friends walked towards the market. Seungmin listened to Hanji's reasons without saying a word until they have reached the market.
"Oh right, we're here" Hanji brightly said as they went inside. Seungmin is still silent, following Hanji's grocery route.
"Do you have anything to buy, Seungmo?" Hanji asking his friend while busy picking stuff.
"I want tteokboki for dinner" he replied coldly.
"Wooow, tteokboki with lots of cheese sounds nice. I feel like drooling" acts like he's wiping his drool.
They both picked up the things they want to buy and head to the cashier. They fell in line but still Seungmin is not talking.
Now, it's their turn. The cashier punched in the items and they're now about to pay. Hanji's about to get his cash when Seungmin gave the cashier his card. Hanji let Seungmin pay without a word. They went outside.
"Minnie, want to got to my place?" Hanji offered but still Seungmin's not talking. "We'll have tteokboki for dinner. Sounds good, right? C'mon Seungmin" Hanji grabbed his unresponsive friend in the cab he hailed.
"Ta-daaa! Here we are" Hanji opened the door for Seungmin. Placed the groceries in the table and started preparing dinner. Seungmin helped him still not talking. Hanji knows that there is something wrong with Seungmin but he's afraid to ask.
The tteokboki is about to be finished cooking so Hanji went to get the utensils.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Seungmin breaking his silence. Hanji went back to table and gave Seungmin his plate ang chopsticks.
"I'm sorry, I was just pressured and a little bit jealous of what you guys have achieved. So I chose to cut off ties with you guys" Hanji honestly replied
"Even your best friend, Hanji?" Seungmin on the verge of crying.
"Yes, I wanted some peace of mind to break off those anxiety and doubts about myself. Seeing you guys achieve something and me still stuck on a shithole even though I try my hardest" Hanji looking at Seungmin without regrets.
"I'm sorry, Hanji. I'm not there when you feel like that" Seungmin's already crying
"No, that's not your fault. It's just a problem within myself and I have to cope" wiping Seungmin's tears
"Now, that I found you again. I'll support you. I missed you so much, Ji" Seungmin hugged Hanji
"I'm sorry too, Seungmin I cut off ties with you and got jealous about your success" Hanji hugged Seungmin back
They let go of the hug and start to eat like the old times. Hanji feels more secured and stronger now because he now knows he's not alone.
"Ting" Hanji's phone has a new message.
